Second Year Residents

Jessica Cornett Allen, MDVanderbilt University
I grew up in FL & studied at the U of Miami. I was a biologist on fishing boats in the Bering Sea, hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, worked as a sleep tech, & volunteered in Peru. I discovered I loved living in rural communities & enrolled at Vanderbilt to become the most medically resourceful person - ready for the vast array of problems a rural community will need treated. Other interests include care for marginalized populations, behavioral, integrative, preventive health, & wilderness medicine. My husband, Max, makes sure we stay balanced in the natural playground that surrounds us hiking, biking, rock-climbing, & camping. I also enjoy baking, running, yoga, & backcountry sledding. Jessica's email address is Jessica.Allen@sclhs.net.

Heather Harms, MDUniversity of Nebraska
I am a Hawkeye by birth & have adopted Cornhusker lifestyle I grew up in, & continue to be a fan of both teams. I attended the U of Nebraska for my bachelor's in Spanish and for med school. I love traveling & have seen Africa, Asia, & Central America. I now have a 2nd home in Guatemala, where my missionary parents live & where my desire to be a doctor originated. I met my husband Nathan in med school, and we hope to continue traveling & practicing both rurally & internationally in the future! We are so excited to move to Colorado & enjoy all that the state has to offer, as we love skiing, hiking, & the outdoors. It will definitely be an adventure! Heather's email address is Heather.Harms@sclhs.net.

Nathan Harms, MDUniversity of Nebraska
I was born & raised in a town 20 mi south of Wichita. I decided to pursue medicine in high school. My Bachelor's in Biology at K State carried on the family tradition of bleeding purple! While there, I went to Africa twice - feeding an interest in international medicine. Med school was the U of Nebraska where I met my wife, Heather & realized I wanted to do just about everything! Being a small town Family Physician was the perfect job! We both are looking forward to practicing in a small town in the US & overseas. I love to do outdoor activities, soccer, ultimate frisbee, fishing, downhill skiing, & the occasional swing dance. All of which I plan to do in Grand Junction! Nathan's email address is Nathan.Harms@sclhs.net.

Josh Hulst, MDUniversity of Iowa
I was raised in Orange City, Iowa on the great plains but always felt at home in the mountains & escaped to the Rockies’ wilderness as often as possible. I played rugby at Bethel U in St. Paul MN, was a firefighter & attempted to bike the entire Continental Divide as the mountains still seemed to call. Med school brought me back to Iowa. My electives were in rural Iowa, the Navajo Nation, & the Himalayas. I have developed interests in global & wilderness medicine. Broad-spectrum family medicine is uniquely able to meet the needs of marginalized populations here & abroad. I am very excited to finally be making the move to beautiful Colorado & train at a place that will equip me with the tools to provide quality care in any setting. Josh's email address is Joshua.Hulst@sclhs.net.

Ryan Jackman, MDMedical College of Wisconsin
I’m from a suburb of SLC, where my neighbors were cows, horses, sheep, & an alfalfa field. I have always been in love with small towns. Sports & the idea of being a doctor took me to Utah State for undergrad in Liberal Arts & Social Sciences. I found another life interest – my wife Melanie. Together we decided to try out the Midwest & moved to “Wiscansin” to MCOW. We became Cheeseheads, ate our share of brats, fried foods, & had our first child – an energetic little girl: Sadie. I love the breadth of family medicine & it took very little time in GJ to know it was where I wanted to continue my training. The program, the people, the sunny surroundings & the city are the perfect fit for a new doc with small town/rural aspirations who enjoys being outdoors. Ryan's email address is Ryan.Jackman@sclhs.net.

Braeden Johnson, MDUniversity of Kansas
I grew up on the high plains of Western Kansas & spent much of my youth playing basketball & swimming. My hometown of Leoti was a revolving door of docs, which along with my internist aunt, ultimately inspired me to pursue medicine. Undergrad was Bethel College in Newton - Biology. My love of Jayhawks led to med school at University of Kansas, where I met my beautiful wife Dana & developed an enthusiasm for rural medicine pushing the rural-focused campus in Salina. In my free time, I enjoy golf, basketball, hiking & spending time with Dana. You're sure to bring me a smile by saying "Rock Chalk Jayhawk!" Braeden's email address is Braeden.Johnson@sclhs.net.

Shiela Klemmetsen, MDUniversity of Minnesota
I grew up in a town of 93 where I played tennis, basketball & ran track. I attended the University of St. Thomas in St Paul, majoring in Biology & Chemistry. I fell in love with medicine working as a PCA for a little guy with cerebral palsy throughout college. After living with family in LA, I applied to med school, met my husband Joe, & moved back to fresh air for med school @ U MN. Now I am enjoying the mountain air of Colorado hiking, running, mountain biking, hunting, fishing & hanging out with family & friends. I am elated to be joining a wonderful group of residents & staff in GJ and get back to my rural beginnings. We can’t wait to explore every opportunity as we live out our dream in Colorado. Shiela's email address is Shiela.Klemmetsen@sclhs.net.

Katie Strack, MDUniversity of Illinois
I was raised in the heart of So Ill, with corn fields in my front yard & forest in my back leading to countless adventures with my brother. I played sports every season & threw javelin at ISU, where I majored in psychology & biology. I spent 5 yrs on the crisis hotline & 2 yrs helping adults with developmental disabilities. Those experiences & my family doc mom lead me to rural med. I went through the RMED program at U of Illinois & was pointed to Grand Junction by several faculty. Before the end of my interview day I knew in my heart that GJ was a perfect fit because of the amazing people & incredible learning environment. My interests include spending time with my boyfriend & “kids” (brother & sister beagle/basset mixes), working out & baking. Katie's email address is Katherine.Strack@sclhs.net.